Most newborns take 30–90 ml per feed and about 400–900 ml in 24 hours, with amounts rising across the first weeks.
New parents ask this on day one, and the answer changes fast. A newborn’s tummy is tiny, feeds are frequent, and intake grows every few days. Below you’ll find clear numbers in milliliters, simple signs of hunger and fullness, and bottle tips for expressed milk. Guidance here reflects trusted pediatric and breastfeeding sources and converts the usual ounces to ml so you can track with one unit.
Early Days Intake: What To Expect
In the first four days, colostrum meets needs in small but mighty portions. Then mature milk flows and volumes rise. Feed on cue, aim for 8–12 feeds per day, and watch diapers and weight, not just milliliters.
| Time From Birth | Per Feed (ml) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | 2–10 | Colostrum volumes are small; frequent latching builds supply. |
| 24–48 hours | 5–15 | Intake rises as feeding skills improve. |
| 48–72 hours | 15–30 | More active swallowing; cluster feeds are common. |
| 72–96 hours | 30–60 | Milk “comes in”; diapers and satiety improve. |
| Days 5–7 | 30–60+ | Per feed varies with hunger and timing. |
| Weeks 2–3 | 45–90 | Many babies settle near 60–90 ml when feeds are well spaced. |
| Week 4 | 60–120 | Some reach 90–120 ml, matching bigger daily totals. |
For a quick cross-check, AAP guidance says many babies take about 90–120 ml per feed by the end of the first month, every 3–4 hours. Feeding frequency still varies, especially with evening cluster feeds and growth spurts.
How Many Feeds Per Day?
Most newborns nurse 8–12 times in 24 hours. Some go hourly during clusters; others sleep a longer stretch, then feed twice close together. The key is responsive feeding: offer when baby shows early hunger cues and pause when signals show fullness. The CDC describes these normal patterns and the wide range that comes with them.
How Much Breastmilk In ML Can A Newborn Have Per Day?
Across the first month, daily intake rises from modest colostrum amounts to a steady range. By the second to fourth week, many fully breastfed babies land somewhere between about 570 and 750 ml in 24 hours, and plenty sit above or below that band and still do well. From one to six months, a widely cited average is about 750 ml per day, with a common range of 570–900 ml.
Those numbers matter for parents who pump. If you prepare bottles during the workday or for a caregiver, divide your baby’s expected daily total by the number of feeds they usually take. That simple math gives a safe starting size for each bottle, then you adjust based on baby’s cues.
Reading Hunger And Fullness Cues
Hunger shows up early as stirring, hand-to-mouth moves, rooting, and lip smacking. Crying is a late cue. Fullness shows in relaxed hands, slower sucking, and turning away. Let baby set the pace at breast or bottle.
- Offer on early cues instead of waiting for a cry.
- During bottle feeds, pause often and keep the bottle level to slow the flow.
- End the feed when baby releases or stops actively sucking, even if a little milk remains.
Second Table: Turning Daily Totals Into Bottle Sizes
Use this range tool when you’re sending expressed milk. Pick the row that matches your baby’s usual feeds in 24 hours, then pour the amount in the column that fits the day’s plan. Start at the lower number for a small baby or frequent feeder; start near the higher number for a bigger baby or longer gaps.
| Feeds/24h | Per Feed From 570 ml/day | Per Feed From 900 ml/day |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | ≈45–50 ml | ≈70–75 ml |
| 10 | ≈55–60 ml | ≈85–90 ml |
| 9 | ≈60–65 ml | ≈95–100 ml |
| 8 | ≈70–75 ml | ≈110–115 ml |
| 7 | ≈80–85 ml | ≈125–130 ml |
Paced Bottle Feeding Tips (For Expressed Milk)
Paced bottle feeding helps match the flow and rhythm of nursing. Hold the baby upright, keep the bottle more horizontal so milk doesn’t pour, and give breaks for burps. Swap sides halfway through to mimic a change of breast. These small steps lower the chance of overfilling the tummy and make mixed feeding smoother.
Signs Baby Is Getting Enough
Numbers help, but your best dashboard is the baby. Look for these steady markers:
- By day 5, six or more wet diapers and regular yellow stools.
- Back to birth weight by around 10–14 days, then consistent gains.
- Audible swallows at the breast and content periods after feeds.
If any of these stall, ask a lactation specialist or your baby’s doctor to watch a full feed and check for milk transfer and latch comfort.
Why Intake Varies So Much
No two babies take the same amount at every feed. Intake shifts with birthweight, tummy capacity, latch, milk flow, time of day, and growth spurts. Evening clusters often trade several small feeds for one large bottle. Sick days and heat can nudge patterns too. The aim is steady gains and plenty of diapers over the week, not identical bottles each day.
Sample Day Scenarios
Scenario A: Frequent Feeder
A small newborn nursing 12 times per day might average about 50–70 ml per feed by week three. Daily milk could sit near 600–800 ml with many brief sessions and a calm, sleepy stretch after midnight.
Scenario B: Fewer, Fuller Feeds
A larger infant taking 8 feeds might sip 75–110 ml per feed and land close to 700–850 ml in 24 hours. Bottles on caregiver days may look bigger than direct breast feeds because the flow is steadier and less work.
Working With Pumped Milk
Milk volume often peaks around week five and holds steady for months. A typical single bottle for a young infant falls near 60–120 ml. Many families pack a few smaller bottles instead of one large one to reduce waste and to respond to cues.
How To Size Bottles
- Estimate your baby’s daily band (570, 750, or 900 ml).
- Divide by usual feeds to get a starting size.
- Send one extra small bottle (30–60 ml) as a top-up if needed.
When Volumes May Need A Closer Look
Watch trends, not a single feed. Reach out for help if weight is falling, diapers are fewer than expected after day 5, jaundice is worsening, or feeds are always a battle. A latch check, a weighted feed, or a pumping plan can solve many intake puzzles.
Quick Conversions And Handy Facts
- 30 ml ≈ 1 oz; 60 ml ≈ 2 oz; 90 ml ≈ 3 oz; 120 ml ≈ 4 oz.
- Many newborns feed every 2–3 hours by day, with one longer stretch at night.
- Night milk can be richer in some components; expect varied appetite across the day.
Bottom Line For Newborn Milk In ML
Across the first days, single feeds are tiny at 2–30 ml. By day four, many reach 30–60 ml. Through weeks two to four, most settle between roughly 60 and 120 ml per feed, adding up to about 570–900 ml per day. Follow cues, offer often, and let weight and diapers confirm you’re on track.